Samsung strives to give South African youth hope

by MTHULISI SIBANDAJOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH African youth, particularly unemployed matriculants, battling to find jobs have received an opportunity of a lifetime to carve careers in technology.

Samsung, the technology giant, has given them a major boost through its Women Technical Programme and the Boys to Men initiative.

Applications are currently open for both programmes, which have two intakes a year. The six month-programmes are held at the Samsung Engineering Academy in Midrand in Gauteng Province.

Applicants need to have a matric certificate with maths and science on higher grade.

Richard Chetty, Director of Services for Samsung South Africa, said in addition to Boys to Men and Women Technical Programme equipping students with the necessary engineering skills, graduates would get the opportunity to work within the Samsung Service Centres, which launches them into sustainable employment.

Students are taken through an intensive technical training course followed by a month of in-service training.

Once this is completed, the young graduates are taught about client service and then are deployed to Samsung Service Centres.

In addition to the Women Technical Programme and Boys to Men, there are six academies that matriculants between the ages of 18 to 25 can apply to.

These are: Samsung Academy in Midrand, Refrigeration and Aircon Academy at Ekurhuleni East College KwaThema, Tshwane North College in Hammanskraal, Orbit College in Mogwase, Gert Sibande College in Standerton and KwaMashu Coastal College in KwaMashu.

Samsung is also seeking applicants who have completed an Engineering diploma or degree.

Chetty said the company was on a drive to give the youth of South Africa hope for the future with viable careers in a highly-desirable field.

“Our graduates have all entered the workplace with essential electronic engineering skills, allowing them to support themselves and make a positive impact on their families and communities,” Chetty said.

The next intake is in June.

Applicants need to have a Matric Certificate and a valid driver’s licence.– CAJ News